The archive covers Henrion's entire career, comprising original artwork, photography, examples of packaging and graphic design as well as correspondence with clients. It also includes Henrion's library of books on graphic and industrial design, typography and advertising.
F H K Henrion Archive
This material is held atUniversity of Brighton Design Archives
- Reference
- GB 1837 DES/FHK
- Dates of Creation
- 1936-1990
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English
- Physical Description
- 23 linear metres archive, 35 linear metres library / some material still to be boxed
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
F H K Henrion (1914-1990) was a British-based designer of international renown, his design work encompassing posters, exhibitions, corporate graphic design and advertising. Among his best known logos are those for Tate and Lyle, the National Theatre and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. He was also closely involved with design institutions such as the Council of Industrial Design (later the Design Council) and ICOGRADA (International Council of Graphic Design Associations).
Henrion was born in Nuremberg, Germany, moving to Paris in 1933 where he studied textile design under Ted Levy before joining the poster design school of Paul Colin, later moving to London. He was interned as an enemy alien on the Isle of Man at the beginning of the Second World War. After his release in 1940 he was employed as a graphic designer by the Ministry of Information and the US Office of War Information, producing a number of well-known designs of the period, including 'Dig for Victory'. After the war, he developed a reputation as a designer of exhibitions and went on to establish his own design consultancy, working with many major British and international companies to develop their corporate identities.
Henrion also worked as an art editor for various publications, and contributed to the Council for Industrial Designs Design magazine. Teaching at the Royal College of Art and the London College of Printing reinforced his influence as an educator, and he was an active and prominent figure in professional design organisations, including the Society of Industrial Designers (later the Chartered Society of Designers).
Arrangement
The archive is arranged in the following series:
FHK/1 Project boxes
FHK/2 Art work and photography
FHK/3 Slide collection
FHK/4 Personal papers
FHK/5 Library
Access Information
Researchers wishing to consult the collection should make an appointment. Telephone 44 (0)1273 643217 or email designarchives@brighton.ac.uk
Acquisition Information
Transferred to the Design Archives by Henrion's widow, Marion Wesel-Henrion, in 2000.
Other Finding Aids
Listing on Filemaker database available for consultation at repository.
Henrion's library, comprising approximately 3,000 items, is listed on the University's Library catalogue.
Archivist's Note
Collection level record created by Catherine Moriarty, February 2006, and extended by Sue Breakell, January 2010.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission must be sought to publish any material from the collection. Email designarchives@brighton.ac.uk
Accruals
Further material may accrue from the Henrion estate
Bibliography
'Oxford Dictionary of National Biography' entry by David Gentleman, Oxford University Press, 2004
Henrion, FHK and Parkin, Alan 'Design Co-ordination and Corporate Image', New York: Rheinhold Publishing / London: Studio Vista, 1967
'Henrion: Designing Things and Symbols', exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, 04 Feb - 19 Mar 1960
'FHK Henrion: Five Decades a Designer' Research, catalogue and organisation by Mike Hope. Stoke-on-Trent: Staffordshire Polytechnic, 1989. Exhibition held at Flaxman Gallery, Staffordshire Poly, 28 Nov - 14 Dec 1989.